The number of incumbents running for re-election without challenge in either the primary or general election increased in the 2014 elections, from 25.9 percent in 2012 to 34.1 percent in 2014.

There were 6,057 state legislative districts with a seat up for election on November 6, 2014, in 46 states. We took a look at each of the 46 states to see how many state legislative candidates faced no major party primary or general election challenger. These candidates effectively won election at the time of their candidate filing.

Our main findings:

1,797 candidates faced no opposition in both the primary and general election. This included:

851 Democratic candidates

937 Republican candidates

9 Third party candidates

The incumbent chose to run for re-election in 5,049 (83.4%) of the 6,057 seats up for election.

Of those 5,049 incumbents, a total of 1,724 (34.1%) advanced through the 2014 elections without opposition.